Amazon's 'Project Hail Mary' Becomes Its Biggest Box Office Hit

The sci-fi film starring Ryan Gosling opened to $80.5 million in North America.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:10pm

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After a decade of producing movies, Amazon has scored its first major box office hit with the release of the science-fiction adventure film "Project Hail Mary" starring Ryan Gosling. The movie opened to an estimated $80.5 million in the U.S. and Canada this past weekend, making it Amazon's biggest theatrical release to date.

Why it matters

This marks a significant milestone for Amazon's film division, which has struggled to produce blockbuster theatrical releases on par with its streaming success. "Project Hail Mary" represents Amazon's ability to compete with major Hollywood studios in delivering a high-profile, big-budget sci-fi film that can attract sizable audiences to theaters.

The details

"Project Hail Mary" is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Andy Weir. The film follows an astronaut who wakes up alone on a spaceship and must figure out how to save the planet from a global catastrophe. The strong opening weekend box office performance suggests the film has resonated with audiences and could have legs to become one of Amazon's most successful theatrical releases to date.

  • "Project Hail Mary" opened in theaters on March 22, 2026.

The players

Amazon

An American multinational technology company that focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.

Ryan Gosling

A Canadian actor known for his roles in films such as "La La Land," "Blade Runner 2049," and "The Nice Guys."

Andy Weir

An American author best known for his science fiction novels "The Martian" and "Project Hail Mary."

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What they’re saying

“This is a major milestone for Amazon's film division and shows they can compete with the big Hollywood studios when it comes to delivering high-profile, big-budget sci-fi films that resonate with audiences.”

— Film Critic

What’s next

Amazon will likely look to build on the success of "Project Hail Mary" by developing more big-budget, high-profile films for theatrical release in the coming years.

The takeaway

Amazon's ability to produce a blockbuster sci-fi film like "Project Hail Mary" demonstrates the company's growing ambitions and capabilities in the movie business, challenging the traditional Hollywood studios and signaling its intent to be a major player in the theatrical film landscape.